history

DEL MAR, Calif. - At the age of 56, the legendary Bill Shoemaker guided Ferdinand home by a nose over Alysheba as the two Derby winners famously hit the wire together in the 1987 GI Breeders' Cup Classic at Hollywood Park. The late Shoemaker has held the record as the oldest jockey to win a Breeders' Cup race since. Hall of Famer Mike Smith will have five chances to make history as the two-day Championships return to Del Mar for the fourth time Friday. The 59-year-old's Breeders' Cup mounts include:...

The new official logo of Belmont Park, which will open in September 2026 following a multi-year redevelopment project designed to create a world-class racing and entertainment destination on Long Island, was unveiled Wednesday by the New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA). Inspired by one of the defining features of the property, the iconic Japanese White Pine, the new logo represents the evolution of Belmont Park while honoring the rich history of thoroughbred racing in New York. Centered around an updated version of the white pine, the Belmont Park logo incorporates...

Stella Thayer, the president of Tampa Bay Downs and the President of the National Museum of Racing from 2005 through 2014, came across a book of historical European racetracks during her travels. Sensing that there was a void in the U.S. where no such book existed, she set out to create one. The timing was perfect as 2025 coincided with the 75-year anniversary of the museum's founding. Brien Bouyea, Communications Director of the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, and renowned racing writer Jay Hovdey were given the...

Jockey Rachel King and Costa Nova (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) partnered in Tokyo's G1 February Stakes on Sunday, and came away the three-quarter length winners over Sunrise Zipangu (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}). King is the first female jockey to win a race at the highest tier in Japan. The February Stakes is a "Win and You're In" for the GI Breeders' Cup Classic this autumn. Positioned in the first third of the strung-out field, the 3-1 shot followed in the wake of Mitono O (Jpn) (Logotype {Jpn}). That rival carried them...

Edited Press Release Keeneland Library is now presenting the exhibit Of Turf and Stone: Keeneland Through the Ages to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the founding of the Keeneland Association, which established the race track and became a leader in the Thoroughbred industry. Showcasing photographs and memorabilia tracing the development of Keeneland's grounds, architecture, facilities and innovative industry firsts, the exhibit features photographs curated from Keeneland Library collections and Turf photographers who document today's race meets and events to highlight Keeneland's evolution from 1935 to today. "Racing has had a...

Katrina Helmer has been named the new Director of Communications at the Kentucky Derby Museum, taking over from Rachel Collier Carr. As Communications Director, Katrina is thrilled to be part of the creative team that will drive the Museum's messaging and storytelling for the historic Derby 150 and beyond. "Katrina has done a stellar job with our Communications platform since coming to Kentucky Derby Museum," said Patrick Armstrong, Kentucky Derby Museum President and CEO. "She was a natural fit for the Director position, and we are excited about her bright...

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Today's Observations features a half-brother to multiple Group 1 winner Lord North. 13.35 Gowran, Mdn, €15,500, 2yo, f, 8fT Craig Bernick's WILLAMETTE VALLEY (IRE) (Galileo {Ire}), one of two contenders from the Jessica Harrington stable, is a daughter of MGSW G1 Moyglare Stud S. and G1 Prix Marcel Boussac...

On a sunny Friday in August, a vanload of a dozen wide-eyed tourists step onto Main Street in Midway, Kentucky. The picturesque town with a population of fewer than 2,000 is easy to miss passing through, but for travelers who do happen upon it, the charming community is one they'll soon be eager to revisit. "This is just a lovely town," said one woman from Kansas after touring Midway's historic downtown for the first time. "It's amazing how clean the storefronts are and how friendly all the owners are." "There's...